Don Peat, City Hall Bureau Chief

TORONTO -- Rob Ford will return to City Hall Monday afternoon following a two-month leave of absence.

The embattled mayor took a temporary leave on April 30 and fled the city the next day to seek help for a "problem with alcohol."

That sudden exit came just as news broke about a second video which appeared to show Ford smoking crack cocaine. The Toronto Sun also obtained an audio recording of him making several obscene and racist comments in an Etobicoke bar.

​

Ford -- who is running for re-election this year -- has scheduled a press conference for 3:30 p.m. in the mayor's office where he will speak to journalists from a handful of invited media outlets.

His spokesman has repeatedly said Ford will be delivering a statement and not take any questions from reporters.

Ahead of Ford's return, mayoral candidate John Tory issued a statement repeating his call for the mayor to resign.

"I join with people across Toronto in hoping that Rob Ford has real success in the difficult road to recovery," Tory stated.

"However, Mr. Ford has repeatedly broken faith with the citizens of Toronto. Not only with his repeated behavioural lapses, but his consorting with underworld figures, and, since his exit, new and serious allegations involving using his public office to benefit his family business, means that he cannot continue to sit as mayor.

"He may choose to run again. But for the good of the city he should step down as mayor without delay."

Tory pointed out mayoral frontrunner Olivia Chow has not called for Ford to resign.

"Instead she is playing politics, putting the interests of her campaign ahead of those of the people of Toronto," Tory said.